MANILA, Philippines – National carrier Philippine Airlines Inc. (PAL) is set to acquire up to 10 new small aircraft from Bombardier Inc.

PAL president and COO Jaime Bautista said the carrier has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire five small aircraft with an option to get another five.

He declined to give the amount to be spent for the new aircraft as he said the parties “are now working on finalizing the purchase agreement.”

The new aircraft would replace PAL’s existing Q400 aircraft being used for domestic routes.

Bautista said the additional fleet would be used by PAL’s sister firm PAL Express to carry passengers going to destinations such as Samar, Palawan, Busuanga, Batanes and other small cities in the Visayas.

PAL which recently took delivery of its seventh Boeing 777-300-ER, is set to accept the eighth unit next month.

Through the two new Boeing 777-300-ER aircraft, PAL would be able to increase flights to North America.

By next month, PAL would start operating double daily flights between Manila and Los Angeles from the current 10 weekly flights.

As for the Manila and Vancouver route, PAL would be increasing flights to 10 per week from seven at present, while flights between Manila and Toronto would rise to four weekly from three.

Bautista said PAL also expects two Airbus 321s to arrive in the country within the month.

PAL is acquiring new aircraft as it looks to expand the number of routes being served in line with the aim to become a five-star airline.

The carrier which has a three-star rating, operates more than 70 aircraft to 30 domestic and over 40 international destinations.

Las Vegas matchmaker Sean Gibbons described WBA welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse of Argentina as a dangerous opponent because of his raw punching power but said Sen. Manny Pacquiao, if he’s in tip-top condition, should win when they clash in Kuala Lumpur on June 24.

Oscar de la Hoya is expected to fly into Manila to formally launch the WBA welterweight title fight between defending champion Lucas (The Machine) Matthysse of Argentina and challenger Sen. Manny Pacquiao in Malaysia on June 24 with the legendary Golden Boy making his first visit to the country of the man who ended his career in 2008.